Selector control mechanism



Oct. 1, 1940. H. J. KAYE 2,216,272

SELEQTOR CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Jan. 21, 1935 5 Sheetsv-Sheet l INVENTOR Harold Kay's kwu 11W 4%;

Gd. 1. 1940. l J KAYE 2,216,272

SELECTGR CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Jan. 21, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 107 06 3 5 lNVENTOR E- lga/mid f Ka ye Oct. 1. 1940. H. J. KAYE 2,216,272

SELECTOR CONTROL MECHANISM v Qriginal Filed Jan. 21. 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet s TIC. E1. x i-E31 E [0 mmmw INVENTOR Harold Kgg e BY r gawk M "K ATTQRNEYS Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application January 21, 1935, Serial No. 2,739 Renewed November 1, 1937 23 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in selector control apparatus. One object thereof has been to provide mechanism, which among other uses, may be employed to conveniently and accurately effect condenser adjustments incident to the operation of radio receiving sets, either entirely automatically over a period of time or permitting manual operation as desired.

Although it is apparent that my improved apparatus is adaptable to other uses than radio control, its advantages in this field will be better understood by comparison with certain practical insufficiencies of previously suggested devices having a similar purpose, some of which for ex ample have been too complicated and expensive to manufacture to be commercially acceptable. My improved control apparatus is capable of embodiment in relatively compact and inexpensive forms which may be built in as an integral part of a receiving set or supplied as an easily added attachment to various types of existing sets. As to others, the control instrumentalities have required special and permanent setting for each community or to bring in predetermined fixed groups of stations, whereas my improved apparatus affords a practically unlimited choice of stations; and the selection thereof may be made freely and varied at any time by a person of ordinary mechanical understanding and as an incident to the normal use of the device.

One embodiment of my invention, as applied more particularly to radio receiving set operation, is illustrated in the drawings appended to and forming part of the present specification and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a conventional radio receiving set with part of the selector control mechanism exposed around the periphery of the clock dial;

Figure 2, a central vertical section thereof showing the selector control mechanism connected to the condenser actuating shaft of the set;

Figure 3, a detail view partly in vertical section on the line 33 of Figure 2 and showing the relative positions occupied by various parts of the direction control and rotation limiting mechanisms between successive operations thereof, or, in radio terms, while a selected station is tuned in certain parts being shown in dotted lines to indicate the relative angular positions of certain cooperating portions of the devices which control rotation of the condenser and the opening and closing of the power circuit;

Figure 4, a similar view, showing the parts in process of being reset to clear the dial, i. e., to restore the condensers to zero or untuned position;

Figure 5, a similar view showing the relative position of the parts just after the zero position of the condenser has been effected and the condenser shaft is being rotated in the reverse direction to establish a new selected tuning position or adjustment of the condenser;

Figure 6, a detail view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3 showing partly in section, a portion of the direction control and rotation limiting mechanisms;

Figure '7, a detail view partly in section on the line l-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 8, a fragmentary View illustrating aportion of the mechanism for differentially limiting the extent of rotation of the condenser shaft to effect different selected tuned positions thereof; I

Figure 9, a fragmentary View, partly in section, showing some of the parts of Figure 8 in relation to adjustable devices for obtaining selective operation of said parts to produce a particular tuned condition or setting of the condenser;

Figure 10, a fragmentary detail top plan view through an opening in the casing or cabinet of the devices shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11, a fragmentary side elevation of a main or power switch positioned to be actuated by a portion of the selecting mechanism; and

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are views in perspective illustrating more clearly the shape of the several interacting latch levers shown in Figures 3 to 5 inclusive.

In general my invention, as applied to automatic tuning, for example, includes means for rotating the condenser actuating shaft including a prime mover and suitable transmission gearing, means for controlling the direction of rotation of said shaft, i. e., toward zero condenser position, or in the opposite direction toward a selected tuning position, and means for limiting said rotation, namely at said zero position and at a selected tuning position. Where the contemplated tuning or station change is to be effected at predetermined intervals, as hourly, half hourly, quarter hourly, etc., clock mechanism may be employed both to actuate or serve as the prime mover of the condenser shaft and to cause periodic operation of automatic devices for controlling the direction of rotation of said condenser shaft in cyclic sequence.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of direction my invention there shown is applied to dialing, i. e., tuning, a radio receiving set to different stations or different frequencies of incoming radio signals. Usual manually operated mechanism for this purpose includes a shaft I, connected to actuate suitable condensers, of the straight line frequency type, for example, and having a knob 2 and a dial 3 secured to shaft I, a portion of said dial being visible through an opening 4 in the cabinet or casing of the set.

My improved apparatus may be attached to or incorporated in such a set and is shown as mounted on a bracket 6 having arms in which is journaled a connecting shaft I having a bevel gear 8 arranged at one end to mesh with a gear 9 on condenser shaft I and a bevel gear II] at its other end to mesh with another gear II mounted on or secured to a hollow cylindrical member as a drum or cup I2 functioning chiefly as the carrier of a plurality of tuning position determining stops or trips in the form of pins I3, Figures 8 and 9, and a zero condenser position stop in the form of a lug I4, Figure 2. Cup I2 with gears I I and 30 secured thereto is mounted to rotate freely through a limited arc around and independently of a shaft I5 secured by a pin I 9 to the hub of a gear I I which meshes with another gear I8 connected to the minute hand moving shaft I9 of a conventional clock or electrical clock 20 for a purpose hereinafter to be explained, said gears also forming part of a transmission train from said clock or other prime mover to cup I2, shaft I and the condenser parts actuated thereby.

A plate 2| mounted on bracket 6 supports clock 29 on one side and the remainder of the control mechanism on its other side. A supplementary plate 22 is secured in spaced relation to plate 2I by posts 23 and 24, Figures 2 and 3, which extend through curved slots 25 and 26 respectively in the rear wall of cup I2. A bushing 2'1 serves as a bearing for shaft I5, and its apron or flange serves to space plate 22 from the rear wall of cup 4 2 to afford clearance so that cup I2 may rotate freely.

It is clear that condenser shaft I, connecting shaft 1, and the stop carrying cup I2 rotate simultaneously as a train with all condenser positioning rotations of said condenser shaft, and that these rotations are effected and their controlled by suitable connection through transmission gearing actuated by shaft I9 of clock 29 which, of course, turns continuously in the same direction. To produce rotation of the train including cup I2 and shaft I in both directions, with reversals at the proper times, I provide suitable reversing mechanism cooperating with or forming part of said transmission and of which one embodiment is shown more clearly in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive.

Referring to said figures, a bracket 28 secured to plate 2i carries a double or driving gear having a smaller portion 29 which meshes constantly in driving connection with gear 39', Fig ure 2, formed integrally with or secured to gear 5!, Figure 2. Said double gear, mounted on a stud shaft 3I, also has a larger gear portion 32 which meshes constantly with another double gear or idler having one gear member 33 secured to one end of a shaft 36 which is journaled in and extends through rocking arm 34, the other end of said shaft carrying the other gear member 35 secured thereto. Rocking arm 34 pivots around the stud shaft 3I, Figure 6. Gear member 35 meshes, in one extreme position of arm 34, Figure 4, with gear I1, and in the other extreme position of arm 34, Figure 5, with gear I8, which gears, namely I l and I8, turn continuously in opposite directions. The direction of rotation of gear 35 changes accordingly, and rotative movements thereof are transmitted successively through gears 33, 32, 29, and II to cup I2 and to bevel gear I9, shaft I and shaft I. Arm 34 also has an intermediate or neutral position, Figure 3, the significance of which will be discussed later, although it may be noted here that, with arm 34 in neutral position, gear is disengaged from both gears I! and I8 with consequent inaction on the part of cup I2, shaft I, and other parts of the condenser actuating train.

It will now be clear that with arm 34 positioned as in Figure 4, the condenser shaft I is being rotated in a direction toward zero condenser position and will so continue until the lug I4 on cup I2, traveling in the direction of the arrow adjacent thereto in Figure 4, reaches the releasing or tripping position shown in Figure 5. At this point the direction controlling devices are actuated to reverse the direction of rotation of condenser shaft I and cup I2 and consequently of lug I4 which is shown, in Figure 5, as about to return in the direction of the arrow adjacent thereto. And this return movement will be 1 stopped by one of the pins I3 co-operating with selective and control devices to be described, whereupon the direction control parts will take the relative positions shown in Figure 3.

The above movements and changes are controlled by devices which determine the several operative angular positions of arm 34. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, this arm has a slot 31 at its free end which receives a pin 38 projecting from one face of a disc 39 pivoted on a stud shaft 49 mounted on plate 2I. Two other pins 44 and 45 fixed in suitable angular relation to each other and to pin 38 project from the opposite face of said disc 39 and into the paths of appropriate latching and/or stop devices, which, through said pins hold disc 39 in its various operative positions. Releasing or tripping devices are provided to control or effect the indicated changes in co-operation with appropriate timing and selecting devices.

To support and aid portions of the latching and tripping or releasing instrumentalities, a plate II is secured by posts 42 and 43 in spaced relation to plate 2!, Figure 6. A spring 46, having one end secured to said plate 4I and the other end secured to said disc 39, tends to urge the latter toward the extreme position shown in Figure 5, i. e., wherein the gear train operates to rotate the condenser shaft I toward some s lected tuning position. During this operation, as previously suggested, stop I4 moves in the direction of the arrow adjacent thereto and away from the exposed end 4! of a rocking lever A, Figure 12, pivoted on a stud shaft 48 and having an arm 49 extending into the path of pin 44 of disc 39. A spring 50 having one end secured to plate 2| and the other end to lever A tends to rock the latter in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The rocking lever A also carries a pin 5! projecting in a direction to cross the path of a portion of another rocking lever B, Figure 13, pivoted at 52, when lever A is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, as when the lug I4 strikes the end portion 41 to terminate the condenser clearing operation shown in progress in Figure 4. To limit the extent of rocking movement of lever A under the influence of spring 59, one arm of said lever is provided with a tooth or detent 53 for one position, Figure 5, and another detent 54 for another position, Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the extreme limit of movement of lever A due to spring 50 is fixed by post 24 which acts as a stop.

For maintaining the several operative positions of lever A, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, I provide a latch lever C, Figure 14, pivotally mounted on stud shaft 49 and having at one end a detent 55 positioned to engage said teeth 53 and 54 on lever A. A spring 56 having one end connected to plate 4| and its other end connected to latch lever C normally tends to rock said lever into latching position with respect to teeth 53 and 54. Lever C also includes a laterally projecting lug 51 presenting a shoulder which bears against a curved edge portion, or cam 58, of a slider D when latch lever C occupies the latching positions shown in Figures: 3 and 5 respectively. A terminal extension I58 of latch lever C extends upwardly and into position to be engaged and pushed downwardly by one end of a tripping lever E pivoted at 59 on post 60 which also spaces said lever E from the plate 2| to which post 69 is secured. The other end of lever E is provided with an extension in the form of a cam 6| arranged in the path of movement of one or more adjustable trip rods 62 hereinafter to be described. It will be apparent from Figure 4 that, as a trip rod 62 slides along the edge of cam 6|, the opposite end of trip lever E is deflected downwardly and presses the extension I58 of latch lever C to move the same into the inoperative or non-latching position shown in Figure 4.

Returning now to slider D, this element is provided with slots 63 through which extend headed retaining screws 64 secured to plate 4| and arranged to permit free endwise sliding movement of slider D. The latter is held in normally retracted position by a spring 65 having one end secured to plate 4| and the other to said slider, which also includes or has secured thereto a comb like extension F, Figures 6, 8, 9, provided with separately bendable spring prongs 6B. These are positioned, as seen in Figures 8 and 9, to be engaged under certain controlled conditions by the several respective stop pins |3 carried by cup l2 in a manner to be described. The function of comb F is to transmit endwise movement to slider D when a pin l3 encounters a prong 66 in the intercepting position shown in Figure 9. At the time this movement occurs the parts occupy the relative positions shown in Figure 5 and are thereby caused to change to the positions shown in Figure 3. In so doing, slider D is advanced endwise against the pull of spring 65 and its extreme forward end 61 presses against an ext-ending arm. 88 of the rocking lever B which has a lug 69 extending inwardly and into the path of movement of pin 45 on disc 39. Lever B is thus rocked back against resistance of spring 18, a free end portion of which rides on the outer edge of said lever. Meanwhile the cam 58 of slider D advances against the shoulder 51 of latch lever C, thus releasing detent 55 thereof from detent 53 of lever A which, under the influence of spring 50 tilts or rocks sufficiently to bring detent 55 into engagement with. detent 54 of said lever A, Figure 3. Pin 45 of disc 39 now rides on lug 69 of rocking lever B so that it may readily move to the position shown in Figure 4 when another or the next rod 92 reaches and trips lever E.

In arrangements where different condenser settings are desired in a predetermined sequence to bring in different stations for example, connection is mad-e between the clock mechanism, as 20, and devices for causing intermittent.tripping of lever I]. As shown in Figure 2, shaft I5 is connected through gears l1 and I8 with clock shaft l9, and consequently turns continuously therewith, making a complete rotation each hour. Where condenser setting changes may be desired each quarter hour or multiple thereof, a suitable number of rods 62 are mounted on a carrier which is actuated to bring one of said rods into tripping position every fifteen minutes. This carrier is shown in the form of a drum 1| having a hub 12 and a peripheral cylindrical wall which, in the illustrated embodiment, has forty-eight transverse equally spaced slots 13. Obviously any other desired number and spacing of slots may be employed, but the arrangement shown adapts the apparatus to accord with divisions of time now generally used in radio broadcasting.

The drum 1| also has an annular front wall 14 and an annular rear flange 15 each provided with forty-eight drill holes 16 in circular arrangement, equi-spaced from each other, and equidistant from the axis of the drum 1| so that each hole 16 in front wall 14 is co-axial with and opposite a hole 16 in rear flange 15 and in radial alignment with a slot 13. These opposed holes receive and engage end portions of the trip rods 62 which are slidable axially therein to .a limited extent.

Adjacent to the respective holes 16 in front wall 14 are markings, Figure 1, indicating hour and quarter hour divisions thereof, said hour divisions being numbered from 1 to 12 in a counterclockwise direction; and each division marking indicates the time at which the correspondingly located rod 82 will trip the trip lever E when said rod reaches the tripping position indicated by the fiducial mark 11, Figure 1, or opposite the twelve o'clock marking of the clock dial, if one is provided. In the arrangement shown, the five oclock rod, so to speak, is at tripping position, showing that drum 1| is properly synchronized.

Intermittent movement of drum 1|, i. e., to advance one rod 62 to tripping position every fifteen minutes, is effected by suitable connections between said drum and the clock driven shaft l5. For this purpose said shaft has a pinion 18 of which a portion is exposed through an opening 19 in the fixed bearing collar 89 secured to plate 22 and supporting a fixed housing or tube 8|. A sleeve 82 is rotatably mounted on said tube 8| and carries a gear 83 which meshes with an idler 84 driven by pinion 18 on shaft l5. At the outer end of sleeve 82 is secured a disc 85 having four projecting pins 86, which, as seen in Figure 7, successively engage a pawl carrying arm 81 pivotally mounted at B8 on a fixed plate 89, the front face of which, with suitable markings, may serve as a clock face, if desired. Plate 89 is secured on tube 8| by a set screw 99. A spring 9| mounted on plate 89 continuously presses arm 81 into position to be repeatedly engaged and deflected by pins 86 as they rotate in the direction of the arrows adjacent thereto in Figure 7.

A spring pressed pawl 92 is pivoted at 93 on arm 81 and engages a ratchet 94 having fortyeight teeth and secured to a fiat wall 95 of drum 1| and in such relation to the forty-eight rods 62 mounted thereon that each increment of rotative movement of the ratchet corresponding to one tooth thereof advances the drum sufficiently to bring a new rod 82 into tripping position. Arm 8'! has a shoulder 96 adjacent to a cam portion 91. The pins 86 successively come into engagement with said cam portion and, in so doing, raise arm 8'! against resistance of spring 9I sufficiently to withdraw pawl 92 actuated by spring 99 from one tooth of ratchet 94 and engage it with the next tooth. When a pin 86 reaches shoulder 96, arm 81 is pressed down by spring 9| thus advancing ratchet 9 1. A spring pressed locking pawl 98 prevents back lash or undue lost motion in the movement of ratchet 94. An arm II3 pivoted at IGU on plate 89 limits the extent of downward or ratchet advancing movement of the pawl arm 81 and is rotated. by means of a handle II4, Figure 1, to move said pawl arm upwardly and out of the path of pins 86.

Apparatus according to my invention is selective both as to choice of tuned positions or settings of the condenser and as to the time at which any given tuned position of the condenser may be released and a new one effected. In other words, for automatic control of radio reception, my apparatus is capable of eifecting any desired number of diiferent condenser settings or tunings; and changes from one setting to another can be made automatically in any desired predetermined sequence at quarter hour intervals or any multiple thereof or at any other desired intervals.

It has been noted that the trip rods 62 are slidably mounted in the drill holes 15. In their extended position, as shown at the top of Figure 2, the rods 62 engage and trip the lever (II as previously described, each being held in this position by a spring IilI bearing a collar I02 against which the spring presses. A suitable stop, as a collar I63, limits the extent of endwise movement of each rod 62 toward its tripping position. Each rod 62 also carries a movable lug I04 slidably adjustable thereon and having a neck portion I05 carrying a finger piece I05. The necks I05 extend through the several slots I3 in the peripheral wall of drum 1i and slidably engage the inner faces of said slots which function as guiding surfaces. An opening, as H11, in the wall of the casing or cabinet, where one is provided, alfords access to one or more of the finger pieces I 06 for adjusting purposes. To withdraw any rod 62 from tripping position, the lug IM is moved into engagement with collar I52 and continued movement thereof compresses spring IIlI allowing endwise movement of the rod to nontripping position, as shown toward the bottom portion of drum II, Figures 2 and 10, where it is releasably secured by any suitable means as by engaging neck I05 in a notch I JB at one side of slot I3. In this position, as well as in the fully extended position, the partly extended inner ends of rods 62 successively engage and thus periodically close a switch II2, Figures 2 and 11, of suitable type, thus admitting the main current supply to the set during its playing period and opening the circuit periodically when one rod 62 moves out of the position shown in Figure 11 and the next succeeding rod 62 moves toward said position. Rods 62 may also be wholly retracted, that is, to inoperative position by further compressing spring IOI and engaging the neck H35 in a second notch H38. When in this position, rods 62 clear the switch H2 which remains open during which time the receiver is silent.

Lugs I04 also perform another function more particularly related to the mechanism for selecting the frequencies, i. e., tuning positions of the condenser. For this purpose, they are slidably adjustable to any desired operative position along rods 52, being positioned in each case to engage and depress some selected one of the prongs 66 of comb F at or about the time the corresponding rod 62 trips the lever E when drum II is rotated one step. In this depressed position, the selected prong extends into the path of movement of one of the stop pins I3 and is encountered thereby when cup I2 rotates in the direction compelled by the transmission devices in the arrangement shown in Figure 5. The result of this impact is to reset the arm 34 to the neutral or tuned in position shown in Figure 3, as previously described.

In a receiving set which employs a straight line frequency condenser, each unit of angular change in the setting thereof represents a substantially constant resulting change in frequency value of the tuned incoming signals. Accordingly, the number and relative positions of pins I3 in cup I2 and the number of corresponding prongs 66 of comb F may be such as to afford a wide range of flexibility in the choice of frequencies or stations to be brought in. Thus, for operating in a wave band 400 kilocycles wide, for example, forty pins or stops I3 substantially equally spaced circumferentially of cup I3 and properly located in relation to stop lug I4 may be made to cooperate with as many prongs 66 to control condenser settings in increments of 10 kilocycles value each.

In Figures 6 and 8, I have shown an arrangement of nine pins or stops I3 and nine prongs 66, each pin being mounted on a narrow plate IIU, Figure 9, secured on the inner side of cup I2 and adjacent to slots I I I in the peripheral Wall thereof. These slots are arranged in staggered relation with an end of one substantially on a transverse line with the beginning of the next. It will be apparent that the positions of the pins IS in relation to the length of their respective slots III will determine the condenser setting effect of the several stops. If it be assumed that each slot represents 50 kilocycles value of angular movement of the condenser shaft, by establishing the position of an end pin to effect a given tuning, the relative positions of the remaining pins may be adjusted to bring in eight other stations with various frequency differences between them.

For convenience in setting the lugs I04 along rods 62, any appropriate guide or identifying expedient may be employed. For example, as'

shown in Figure 10, frequency values in kilocycles may be indicated on a scale adjacent to opening IIl'l and/or another scale of markings will designate sending stations in the order of their respective broadcasting frequencies.

To set the herein described embodiment of my improved control apparatus, the drum II is rotated manually by means of the finger pieces I06 in its normal operating direction; and as each succeeding piece I05 comes to a position just in advance of the leading ends of prongs 66, the corresponding lug I04 is positioned opposite the marking indicating the station or frequency to be tuned in at the time represented by the rod 62 on which said lug is mounted. This is repeated for the remaining forty-seven lugs or any desired number thereof.

If any given station or frequency setting is to remain on for more than the fifteen minute period, the appropriate number of lugs next succeeding will be positioned in neutral, that is with necks I05 engaging the notches I 08.

If the set is to operate for a limited period, three hours for example, all the lugs, except those positioned to bring in stations during the desired period, will be moved to off position, that is with their necks 505 engaging the notches I09.

The drum will now be manually rotated to such position that the time marking on the face I4 thereof which corresponds to the then actual time, is opposite the fiducial marking I! or the twelve oclock marking on the clock dial. The selective and control mechanism is. now in synchronism with the time mechanism so that the condenser setting determined by the position of the selective devices will remain in effect for as many fifteen minute periods as desired or until another or the next rod, as 82a, Figure 3, with its lug I04 set for a different station is moved by rotation of drum II into position to trip lever E. It is noted that rod 62 (Figure 3) is now holding switch H2 closed and that the lug on said rod is depressing the spring tooth 66 of comb F.

In effecting the above suggested change to a different condenser setting with one of the periodic rotations of drum II, the next rod 62a (Figure 3), which carries a lug 104 set at a predetermined position thereon, advances in the direction of the arrow and engages the cam 6| to trip lever E in the manner indicated in Figure 4. This releases arm 34 of the gear train control from the neutral position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, thus initiating the rotation of cup I2 and the condenser to zero position from which it immediately reverses, as previ ously explained. Continued movement of said rod 62a carries said lug I04 thereon to the position shown in Figure 9, where it presses down the free end of prong 66 of comb F. In this position, rod 62a is identified as rod 62, Figure 3, and its free end engages and closes switch I I2 which was opened, i. e., disengaged by the preceding rod 62 with the beginning of the last described rotation of drum II. This cycle of operation is repeated whenever a lug I04 on a rod 62a is set for a station different from that brought in by the lug on the next preceding rod, as 62, Figure 3.

As previously explained, when the trip rods are all retracted to off position, the switch II 2 remains open; but, where said rods are partly or wholly extended, the inner ends thereof will suecessively engage and hold said switch closed except for the above described periodic disengagement and consequent opening thereof during ro tation of drum II.

It will be understood that unless said drum is disconnected, it will continue to rotate one notch (approximately 7.5") at the end of each fifteen minute period. To disconnect said drum and thus render the operating and control devices of the receiver entirely inert (except for movement of the electric clock mechanism, the gears I1 and I8 and shaft I5 with its coacting parts), the arm I I4, Figure 1, is manually deflected in a direction to swing the key arm II3 against the inner edge of pawl arm 81, Figure '7, and thus to move and hold pawl arm against resistance of spring 9I in such a position that its cam surface 91 is out of the path of movement of pins 86.

I claim:

1. Selector control apparatus comprising in combination a rotatable member and means for actuating the same including a prime mover, transmission means between said mover and said member, means cooperating with said transmission to control the direction of rotation of the rotatable member, means for limiting the extent of said rotation in one direction, means having portions movable with and adjustable in relation to said rotatable member for differentially limiting the extent of rotation in the opposite direction, and means for actuating said direction controlling means to effect rotation of said member alternately in opposite directions, including a driving gear which has continuous operative connection with said rotatable member and with said means for limiting the extent of rotation thereof, a pivotally mounted arm, an idler gear on said arm continuously meshing with said driving gear, and means for controllably rocking said arm in a direction to engage the idler gear with one portion of the transmission to rotate the driving gear in one direction and for rocking said arm in the opposite direction to engage said idler gear with another portion of said transmission to rotate the driving gear in the opposite direction.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including clock mechanism, and means connected to said clock mechanism for periodically actuating said means for controlling the direction of movement of the rotatable member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including clock mechanism and adjustable means connected to said clock mechanism for actuating said means for controlling the direction of movement of the rotatable member at different prede termined time intervals.

4. A mechanical movement comprising a member to be rotated, oppositely rotating driving gears, transmission means operatively interposed between said member and said driving gears and including a driven gear having a neutral position in relation to said driving gears and movable into cooperating relation with one of said driving gears to rotate said member in one direction and with the other of said driving gears to rotate said member in the opposite direction, locking devices for retaining said driven gear in its said several positions in relation to the driving gears, means for releasing that portion of said locking devices which retains the driven gear in neutral position, and means operatively connected to said driven gear to automatically release in a predetermined sequence other portions of said locking devices which retain said driven gear in engagement with said respective driving gears.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 and including means for controlling the time interval between those operations of the releasing means which release that portion of said locking devices which retains the driven gear in neutral position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 and including means for controlling the extent of movement of said member in both directions during operative engagement of said driven gear with said driving gears.

7. Selector control apparatus comprising a shaft, a prime mover therefor, transmission means between the shaft and said prime mover, and means operatively connected with said transmission means for controlling the direction of rotation of said shaft including a rotatable drum in continuous geared connection with said shaft means forming part of said transmission means for periodically rotating said drum first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

8. Selector control apparatus comprising a shaft, a prime mover therefor, transmission means between the shaft and said prime mover, a gear having continuous operative connection with said shaft, a pivotally mounted arm, another gear on said arm positioned to actuate said first mentioned gear, latch mechanism for releasably holding said pivotally mounted arm in neutral, reversing, and advancing positions respectively, a rotatable drum having transverse equi-spaced parallel slots and lugs slidably adjustable longitudinally of said slots, trigger means positioned in the path of movement of and having portions adapted to be selectively cocked by said lugs and operatively connected to said latch mechanism, means for periodically rotating said drum to advance the same in steps equal to the distance between adjacent slots to bring one after the other of said lugs into trigger cocking position, a second rotatable drum provided with transversely spaced and peripherally adjustable radially projecting lugs positioned to engage a selectively cocked portion of said trigger means, said second drum being operatively connected for reversing and advancing rotation respectively with said transmission, means associated with each lug on the first drum to trip a portion of the latch mechanism thereby releasing said pivotally mounted arm from neutral position and permitting it to reset in reversing position to effect reverse rotation of said second mentioned drum, means on said second mentioned drum for tripping said latch mechanism and thereby releasing said pivotally mounted arm from reversing position and permitting it to reset in advancing position to efiect advance rotation of said second mentioned drum and to advance said projecting lugs toward said trigger means whereby one of said lugs encounters a correspondingly positioned and cocked portion of said trigger means and engages the same to again reset the latch mechanism thereby releasing said pivotally mounted arm from advancing position and permitting it to reset in neutral position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said adjustable means for limiting the extent of rotation of the rotatable member includes latch mechanism for releasably holding said pivotally mounted arm in neutral, reversing, and advancing positions respectively, a rotatable drum having transverse equi-spaced parallel slots and lugs slidably adjustable longitudinally of said slots, trigger means positioned in the path of movement of and having portions adapted to be selectively cooked by said lugs and operatively connected to said latch mechanism, means for periodically rotating said drum to advance the same in steps equal to the distance between adjacent slots to bring one after the other of said lugs into trigger cocking position, a second rotatable drum provided with transversely spaced and peripherally adjustable radially projecting lugs positioned to engage selectively cocked portions of said trigger means, said second drum being operatively connected for reversing and advancing rotation respectively with said transmission, means associated with each lug on the first drum to trip a portion of the latch mechanism thereby releasing said pivotally mounted arm from neutral position and permitting it to reset in reversing position whereby said second mentioned drum is rotated reversely, means on said second mentioned drum for tripping said latch mechanism and thereby releasing said pivotally mounted arm from reversing position and permitting it to reset in advancing position whereby said second mentioned drum rotates to advance said projecting lugs toward said trigger means whereby one of said lugs encounters a correspondingly positioned'and cocked portion of said trigger means and engages the same to again reset the latch mechanism thereby releasing said pivotally mounted arm from advancing position and permitting it to reset in neutral position.

10. Selector control apparatus comprising a member to be rotated, driving instrumentalities for effecting rotation thereof including oppositely rotatable gears, a movable gear carrier, an idler gear mounted thereon and operatively connected to effect rotation of said member and to be rotated in one direction from one of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in one position and from the other of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in another position, and means engaging and actuated from said member and engaging said carrier to move said carrier from one to the other of said positions.

11. Selector control apparatus comprising a member to be rotated, driving instrumentalities for effecting rotation thereof including oppositely rotatable gears, a movable gear carrier, an idler gear mounted thereon and operatively connected to effect rotation of said member and to be rotated in one direction from one of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in one position and from the other of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in another position, and means actuated from said member to move said carrier from one to the other of said positions, means for releasably holding said gear carrier in a third position wherein said idler gear remains at rest, means for efiecting movement of said carrier from said third position to one of said other positions, and means for eiTecting movement of said carrier to said third position.

12. Selector control apparatus comprising a member to be rotated, driving instrumentalities for efiecting rotation thereof including oppositely rotatable gears, a movable gear carrier, an idler gear mounted thereon and operatively connected to efiect rotation of said member and to be rotated in one direction from one of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in one end position and from the other of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in another end position, means actuated from said member to move said carrier from one to the other of said end positions, means for releasably holding said gear carrier in a neutral position wherein said idler gear remains at rest, means for effecting movement of said gear carrier from said neutral position to one of said end positions, and means for eiiecting movement of said gear carrier from the other of said end positions to said neutral position.

13. Selector control apparatus comprising a m'ember to be rotated, driving instrumentalities for eiiecting rotation thereof including oppositely rotatable gears, a movable gear carrier, an idler gear mounted thereon and operatively connected to effect rotation of said member and to be rotated in one direction from one of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in one end position and from the other of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in another end position, means actuated from said member to move said carrier from one to the other of said end positions, means for releasably holding said gear carrier in a neutral position wherein said idler gear remains at rest, means for effecting movement of said gear carrier from said neutral position to one of said end positions, and means cooperating with said member to effect movement of said gear carrier from the other of said end positions to said neutral position.

14. Selector control apparatus comprising a member to be rotated, driving instrumentalities for effecting rotation thereof including oppositely rotatable gears, a movable gear carrier, an idler gear mounted thereon and operatively connected to effect rotation of said member and to be rotated in one direction from one of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in one position and from the other of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in another position, means actuated from said member to move said carrier from one to the other of said positions, means for releasably engaging and holding said carrier in said other position, and means operatively connected to said member and cooperating with said holding means to effect movement of said carrier out of said other position.

15. Selector control apparatus comprising a member to be rotated, driving instrumentalities for effecting rotation thereof including oppositely rotatable gears, a movable gear carrier, an idler gear mounted thereon and operatively connected to effect rotation of said member and to be rotated in one direction from one of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in one position and from the other of said oppositely rotatable gears when said carrier is in another position, means actuated from said member to engage and move said carrier from one to the other of said positions, means for releasably engaging and locking said carrier in said other position, and means operatively connected to said member and having'a plurality of differentially arranged portions adapted to engage with portions of said locking means to effect release thereof to permit movement of said carrier out of said other position.

16. Selector control apparatus comprising a member to be rotated, driving means for effecting rotation thereof, transmission means operatively connected between said member and said driving means and including a driven gear adjustably i mounted to be moved to and releasably held in neutral position in relation to said driving means wherein said member remains at rest and to be moved into cooperating relation with one portion of said driving means to rotate said member in one direction and with another portion of said driving means to rotate said member in the opposite direction, locking means for releasably holding said driven gear in one of said member actuating positions, and means actuated from said member for releasing said locking means.

17. Selector control apparatus comprising in combination a rotatable member mounted to have a fixed limit of angular movement in one direction and different limits of angular movement in the opposite direction, a driving element, a driven element having driving engagement with said member and adapted to effect angular movement thereof toward said fixed limit with said driving and driven elements occupying one position in relation to each other and away from said fixed limit with said elements occupying another position in relation to each other, means for releasably engaging and retaining said driving element and said driven element in said relative position to effect rotation of the rotatable member toward its fixed limit of angular movement, means actuated from said rotatable member to engage and release said retaining means, and means operative upon release of said retaining means to bring said driving and said driven elements into the relative position to effect rotation of said rotatable member away from said fixed limit and toward one of said different limits of its angular movement.

18. Selector control apparatus comprising in combination a rotatable member mounted to have a fixed limit of angular movement in one direction and different limits of angular movement in the opposite direction, a driving element, a driven element having driving engagement with said member and adapted to effect angular movement thereof toward said fixed limit with said driving and driven elements occupying one position in relation to each other and away from said fixed limit with said elements occupying another position in relation to each other, means for releasably engaging and retaining said driving element and said driven element in the relative position to effect rotation of the rotatable member toward its fixed limit of angular movement, means actuated from said rotatable member to engage and release said retaining means, means operative upon release of said retaining means to bring said driving and said driven elements into relative position to effect rotation of said rotatable member away from said fixed limit and toward one of said different limits of its angular movement, means for releasably holding said driving element and said driven element in said relative position to effect rotation of the rotatable member away from its fixed limit of angular movement, and means actuated from said rotatable member and having portions arranged to release said last mentioned holding means at one of said predetermined limits of angular movement of the rotatable member away from its fixed limit of angular movement.

19. Selector control apparatus comprising in combination a rotatable member mounted to have a fixed limit of angular movement in one direction and different limits of angular movement in the opposite direction, a driving element, a driven element having driving engagement with said member and adapted to effect angular movement thereof toward said fixed limit with said driving and driven elements occupying one position in relation to each other and away from said fixed limit with said elements occupying another position in relation to each other, means for releasably engaging and retaining said driving element and said driven element in the relative position to effect rotation of the rotatable member toward its fixed limit of angular movement, means actuated from said rotatable member to engage and release said retaining means, means operative upon release of said retaining means to bring said driving and said driven elements into relative position to effect rotation of said rotatable member away from said fixed limit and toward one of said different limits of its angular movement, means for releasably holding said driving element and said driven element in said relative position to effect rotation of the rotatable member away from its fixed limit of angular movement, a rotatable stop carrier operatively connected to rotate with said rotatable member, a plurality of stops mounted thereon in differential angular arrangement, and means for effecting cooperation between any selected one of said stops and a portion of said holding means to release the same to terminate said rotation of the rotatable member away from its fixed limit of angular movement.

20. Selector control apparatus comprising in combination a rotatable member mounted to have a fixed limit of angular movement in one direction and different limits of angular movement in the opposite direction, a driving element, a driven element having driving engagement with said member and adapted to efiect angular movement thereof toward said fixed limit with said driving and driven elements occupying one position in relation to each other and away from said fixed limit with said elements occupying another position in relation to each other, means for releasably engaging and retaining said driving element and said driven element in the relative position to effect rotation of the rotatable member toward its fixed limit of angular movement, means actuated from said rotatable member to engage and release said retaining means, means operative upon release of said retaining means to bring said driving and said driven elements into relative position to efiect rotation of said rotatable member away from said fixed limit and toward one of said difierent limits of its angular movement, means for releasably holding said driving element and said driven element in said relative position to effect rotation of the rotatable member away from its fixed limit of angular movement, a rotatable stop carrier operatively connected to rotate with said rotatable member, and stop means arranged for cooperation with a portion of said holding means to release the same to terminate said rotation of the rotatable member away from its fixed limit of angular movement, said stop means being mounted on said carrier and angularly adjustable in relation to the axis of rotation thereof.

21. Selector control apparatus comprising a rotatable member, a prime mover, transmission means having operative connection with said rotatable member and said prime mover, means operatively connected with said transmission means for controlling the direction of rotation of said movable gear member including a rotatable carrier having a gear operatively connected to said rotatable member, means mounted on said carrier and cooperating with said rotatable member and a portion of said transmission means to limit the extent of movement of the carrier and the rotatable member in one direction, means engaging and movable with said carrier and cooperating with another portion of said transmission means to limit movement of the carrier and of the rotatable member in the opposite direction, and means forming part of said transmission means and actuated from said prime mover for periodically moving said carrier first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

22. Control apparatus for radio receivers of the type wherein a condenser member is periodically rotated for tuning, and the receiver is controlled by a circuit comprising a single receiver control switch for controlling the condition of said circuit, means for rotating said condenser member, control means for periodically starting operation of said member including a trip carrier, means for imparting step by step rotation to said carrier, and a plurality of trips mounted on said carrier to cooperate with said receiver control switch and with said control means, and constructed and arranged so that when the carrier is at rest one of said trips actuates said receiver control switch, and when said carrier starts to rotate said trip releases said receiver control switch and so that another trip simultaneously actuates said control means for starting operation of said condenser rotating means and then ire-actuates. said receiver control switch as said carrier comes to rest.

23. Control apparatus for radio receivers of the type wherein a condenser member is periodically rotated for tuning, and the receiver is controlled by a circuit comprising a single receiver control switch for controlling the condition of said circuit, means for rotating said condenser member, control means for periodically starting operation of said member including a trip carrier, means for imparting step by step rotation to said carrier, and a plurality of trips mounted on said carrier to cooperate with said receiver control switch and with said control means and constructed and arranged so that when the carrier is at rest, one of said trips operates to hold said receiver control switch closed and, when said carrier starts to rotate, said trip operates to open said receiver control switch, and so that when said carrier is rotated and said receiver control switch is opened another trip actuates said control means for starting rotation of the condenser rotating means and then re-actuates said receiver control switch as said carrier comes to rest.

HAROLD J. KAYE. 

